While fans of defunct BBC1 show Merlincontinue to pray for its revival, the show’s lead actor, Colin Morgan (who plays the lead role of the young wizard Merlin in the show), has seemingly added another nail to the coffin, giving his admission that he doesn’t believe a movie version of the fantasy drama will ever be made.

However, speaking after the National Television Awards (where he won ‘Best Drama Performance: Male’ for his role in Merlin), Northern Irish actor Morgan claimed that he did not know if the film ideas would ever be realised, stating of the movies alongside a cliche word of support for his fellow cast members: “I don’t think that’s going to happen. But who knows – let’s see what happens when the future comes. I hope [I can work with the Merlin cast again]. We’re definitely going to stay friends. We just made loads of friends on the show – that’s the important thing, I think.”

Adding that Merlin‘s very dedicated fans have offered him nothing but ‘fantastic support’, the actor claims that his next work will be outside the realms of mythology, featuring alongside Gabriel Byrne in planned new Irish-set ‘BBC detective drama’ Quirke, stating: “It’s set in 1950s Dublin and it’s based on books by Benjamin Black, the first three novels by him. Although I am working in Ireland I am doing a Dublin accent, so I don’t get to use my own accent. Hopefully soon I will!”

While it remains to be seen how successful Quirke will be for the broadcaster, will it gain an influx of support from Merlin‘s cult following wanting to see Morgan’s next role, or are these supporters only interested in one collective product rather than just parts?